God Doesn't Waste Anything

"Every experience God give us

every person he put in our lives,

is the perfect preparation

for the future"

-Corrie ten Boon

"God doesn't waste anything." I was speaking with someone dear to my heart about if our decisions in life defines who we are as individuals. We came to the conclusion that they don't. The reason being that there are decisions that we may have made 10 years ago, yet we would not make the same ones today because we are different than who we were 10 years ago. BUT it does seem that past decisions do shape and form you into the person you are today; whether good or bad. Yet even the bad can be used for God's glory if we allow him to do so. About three years ago I was in college and in shambles because I had changed my direction of study from Nursing to Communication and I felt as though my world had fallen apart. Yet one sweet dear friend told me "God doesn't waste anything." And I have kept that in my heart and will continue to do so until I'm dead and have gone on to glory. At the moment my friend was telling me this, she was speaking of classes that I had, had to take for Nursing school and what would transfer over to the Communication field of study. Yet she wasn't just talking about classes but certain skills that I had learned while obtaining my license to be a Nurses Aid (which was a part of the Nursing program). The school I attended made sure that we realized that we weren't just caring for a "thing" in order to get paid but we were caring for an individual created by God that needed tender love and the best care possible. And no matter what the task or skill, no matter how gross, disgusting or "low" it might be, we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" ("as long as I have my gloves on") as my instructer would say. ;) My friend helped me to realize that those long hard hours, days, weeks, semesters, and years of studying one particular field was not a waste despite the raised eyebrows, questions, and surprised looks by many upon hearing the news.

What I'm trying to say is that we can learn from every single situation we're in; good or bad. Had a bad courting/dating relationship-learn from it. Have a dear friend that you still love but don't really talk to as much-learn what you can from that friendship and how it was beneficial for the both of you. Strayed away from the direction God wanted you to be going-learn from that situation. Were you involved in a ministry that flopped-learn from it. Have you invested in someone to suddenly have them turn their back on you-learn from it.  Had a job you disliked-learn from it. God doesn't waste anything and he is more than able to bring beauty from ashes. He is the potter and we are the clay.

Post 20

This past weekend was draining, but a good draining. I was able to partner with the Admissions Dpt. and put together ENC's first Parent Day in the history of mankind (that I know anything of). It was an all-day event on Saturday which included a performance of the "Messiah" and I was able to attend Sat and Sun performances (I was too distracted to appreciate the performance on Saturday so I went to it again on Sunday and got to sit 2nd row from the front). But here's how the weekend went
Friday night: two friends played the WORST heart-wrenching prank on me that I've ever experienced BUT through the tears, it brought us closer together

Saturday: two friends made me and themselves breakfast (at 7:30 am-so much love!) and helped me set up for Parent Day. Parent Day officially started at 10am and ended at 10pm

Sunday: I skipped church and attended the 2nd performance of the Messiah. AND THEN.....I FOUND A MOUSE IN MY SPARE BEDROOM!   The RA's were having a Christmas Party which included a Yankee Swap so I went into my spare bedroom to find something nice to wrap my present in and here's this small criter looking slightly lost and running back in forth near the window in the room. So I frantically called an RA friend and he came over and killed it (on accident-but he feels more manly by just saying that he killed it). So now I have this terrible vision of me going to sleep and all theses mice flying out of holes in the wall and having a party like on some cartoon that I've seen. But as my RA friend said "as least you don't have rats." So now my spare bedroom door is shut with a towel shoved underneath it while I wait for the Pest Control guy to arrive. That's all for now!

Gone

For many, one of the hardest things to do in life is say "goodbye" to those whom you love especially when you don't know when or if you'll ever see them again. You often feel that those individuals whom you've said "goodbye" to are gone to never again return. Many "goodbyes" leave a void in your heart and in your life that cannot be filled by anyone but the individual that you have parted ways with. But those idividuals who are gone from your life through death or other circumstances are gone physically but are they gone forever? No my friend. Each individual leaves some kind of an impact on your life so much so that the things that you do today, the way that you think, today, the way you talk, today, has been formed by those that have had a part in your past. Remember that good friend you had back in the day or that family member you paid your respects to? Even though you may no longer be in communion with them, a part of them, it could be great or small, is still living through you and other lives that they have impacted.

How are you living through the lives of those around you? Are you the kind of person that sparks a bad memory because of the way you act circumstances out? Do individuals look at you and say "my life is different because this person spoke truth into me...my life is different because this person wasn't nosy and didn't ask a million questions, but they were there.....my life is different because this person let me into their personal space when I had no where else to go and no one else to turn to....my life is different because this person didn't just say they would pray for me but they actually did...my life is different because when everyone else had doubts, this person saw my potential and stood up for me....my life is different because this person stuck by me during my highs and my lows....my life is different because this person allowed themselves to be the hands and feet of God. I challenge you and I challenge myself to not ignore all that those around you have to offer because in order to pour into individuals, you too have to be poured into. What may be gone in the visual is still present in more ways than one.

Post 17

Hello!
It has been a little while since I last gave an update on life. I was able to celebrate a birthday the end of last month so I'm very thankful to be on earth for another year; as I get older I realize even more so how being in my 20's means nothing-death is not defined by age.

This past week has been interesting. I participated in a "walkathon" to help support those struggling with homelessness. But....the "walkathon" was more of a tour of organizations in Boston that minister to those that are homeless. I must say that I had to stop myself at many times during the "walkathon" from laughing. I'm pretty sure my group looked like a pre-school class following around our guide (we all were wearing the same colored shirts (except for me-I was late) and the leader had a big yellow sign with our groups number on it). Oh well....it made a good story. BUT...the church that I have been attending supports social justice so we were able to split up into groups today and go into the community and minister in various ways. My group did a prayer walk around Cambridge which was a blessing to participate in. If this is the church that I'm to be at, I'm excited about the ways I can become involved in it in the future.

God has been giving me the opportunity to invest in the lives of students, which I LOVE! I had a dorm-wide event last week, with the emphasis being on women dealing with fantasizing, porn, and struggling to sustain a healthy mind in a sexually saturized world. About ten people showed up and the lady that came and spoke to the ladies of my dorm did a good introduction session so I'm hoping we can do follow-up ones in the future. One student recently told me that she wants to do a movie night in my apartment with a bunch of ladies, so I'm looking forward to that. I've also been able to cook with a couple of students and show them my very limited knowledge of what can take place in the kitchen (one student thinks that apple sauce is the best thing in the whole world; so I was able to show him how to cook it).

Work does have its challenges. Maintaining harmony amongst office mates can be difficult at times-but we're human so having tention is bound to happen.

A highlight of this month is that I'm going to VA this week!!!!!!! And I'm VERY excited! I need some country air and the fellowship of old friends. :) Well I'm off!

~JGB

Post 16

Here lately I've been feeling like one of those mothers you read about in children's stories, being able to find a biblical application in small everyday events. I even find myself quoting scriptures at students or applying verses to my own life as I experience things that I've never run into before. I'm going to try and enable you to get into my head in what I've been thinking about lately.

With great anticipation I watch my oldest brother on live TV as he's about to enter the octagon for a big fight. He puts on his gear, hugs my dad (yes, I saw my dad on LIVE TV for the 1st time EVER), and gets encouragement from coaches and the like around him. He enters the octagon, fans are cheering like there's no tomorrow. I too start to cheer, even though he can't hear me. My heart rate begins to quicken and I begin to pray "dear Lord, keep my brother safe, enable him from power from within, help him to win, at the very least, do well during this fight." Round one starts and both my brother and his opponent go after it. I pray that God gives my brother an in to take this guy down. Round two; his opponent is pounding my brothers face. I begin to yell at the guy, telling him to punch somewhere else. None the less, my brother remains on his feet, blocking as many punches as he is able. His face begins to swell before the fans eyes, his opponent keep striking. My brother remains on his feet. Round three; same thing takes place only the punches and the kicks intensify. His eyes begin to swell shut yet my brother still remains on his feet; his opponent taken back as to why he has yet to fall down. He eventually puts him in a head lock, my brother bent over, yet still remaining on his feet. Round three ends, my brother's opponent wins yet the hosts of the show are shocked by the endurance that my brother portrayed. They spoke of him as having a "chin of steel and the heart of a lion." His opponent even praised him, saying he doesn't know how my brother stayed on his two feet. 


I'm used to seeing my brother win fights and so are his fans but while watching all of this, the Lord reminded me of something. No matter how hard the enemy attacks, no matter what he throws at me; stand. No matter how simple it would seem to sit down, to give in; stand. No matter how painful the blows are, even when I loose sight as to what is before me; stand and God will see me through.

I love you my brother! I'm pretty sure I would have fallen after the first blow, but you endured with the heart, the will, and the mind of a champion. You are the definition of a fighter. 

100 things I'm thankful for:

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Flowers
4. Trees
5. Clouds
6. Stars
7. Fireflys
8. The Ocean
9. Rain
10. Autumn
11. Sunrise
12. Sunset
13. Children
14. Butterflys
15. Chocolate
16. Peanut Butter
17. Protein
18. My legs
19. My arms
20. My feet
21. My hands
22. My fingers
23. My toes
24. My eyes
25. My eyelids
26. My eyelashes
27. My belly button
28. The ability to hear
29. The ability to see
30. The ability to smell
31. God's word
32. The Father
33. The Son
34. The Holy Spirit
35. Soul Food
36. Italian Food
37. Accents
38. Culture!
39. The ability to think
40. The ability to process
41. The ability to speak
42. The ability to critique
43. Mistakes
44. Unanswered prayers
45. Answered prayer
46. Oatmeal
47. The ability to feel
48. The ability to touch
49. The ability to taste
50. Laughter
51. Tears
52. Pain
53. Joy
54. Morning
55. Mourning
56. Evening
57. Dusk
58. Dawn
59. Deer
60. Dew
61. Snow
62. Speech
63. Actions
64. Love
65. The rich
66. The poor
67. The middle class
68. electricity
69. Running water
70. Cell phones
71. the ability to read
72. Doc and Ms. Judy
73. Corrie ten Boon
74. Elisabeth Elliott
75. Dannah Gresh
76. Shannon Ethridge
77. The Mangan's
78. Marlena and Shawn Graves
79. Crossroads Bible College
80. Cedarvillle University
81. Eastern Nazarene College
82. Carmille Akande
83. Corey MacPherson
84. Jewel Johnson
85. Martin Luther King Jr. 
86. Frederick Douglas
87. Teeth
88. Tongue
89. Christmas!
90. Birthdays!
91. Caterpillars
92. Education
93. Donors
94. Grants
95. Scholorships
96. Roommates
97. Difficult people
98. Clean clothes
99. Chapstick
100. MUSIC!

All these things I am grateful for and so much more

Post 14

Why is New England known for being spiritually dead..........or is America in general becoming spiritually dead (I had church-searching problems in OH too...people weren't as odd though)?

You go to one church and they emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with Christ and why we need to take care of the body of Christ; yet the opportunity to shine the light of Christ to the neighborhood where the church is located in is not seized.

You go to another church and they emphasize the importance of being the hands and feet in the local community, yet nothing is done to nourish those that are within the church.

You go to another church where the people are sweeter than southern style sweet ice tea, yet there's really no meat to the service.

And you go to another church where worshiping God is emphasized yet there is no teaching involved.

And then you go to another service where they teach and preach deep truths of Christ, yet they're as cold as ice at the north pole.

So the question is; where do I go? Do I go to the "sweet" church or the community outreach church and try and find a Bible study elsewhere? Do I go to the cold  but solid church and try to find friends elsewhere (oh wait, one of the reasons I'm looking for a church is to have fellowship and find friends)?

And so my church journey continues. I've been told this process takes about a year. "Lord help me to be patient"